NOFO F21AS00313.pdf

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

FWS - Fisheries

Aquatic Invasive Species Grants to Great Lakes Tribes - Fiscal Year 2021 Great Lakes Restoration Initiative Fiscal Year: 2021

F21AS00313

Due Date for Applications: 09/30/2021

PAPERWORK REDUCTION ACT STATEMENT:

OMB Control Number: 1018-0100, Expiration Date: 7/31/2021

We are collecting this information in accordance with the authorizing legislation identified above. Your response is required to obtain or retain a benefit. We will use the information you provide to conduct a competitive review and select projects for funding and, if awarded, to evaluate performance. We may not conduct or sponsor and you are not required to respond to a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid Office of Management and Budget (OMB) control number. We estimate that it will take you on average about 40 hours to complete an initial application, about 3 hours to revise the terms of an award, and about 8 hours per report to prepare and submit financial and performance reports, including time to maintain records and gather information. Actual time for these activities will vary depending on program-specific requirements. You may send comments on the burden estimate or any other aspect of this information collection to the Information Collection Clearance Officer, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, MS BPHC, 5275 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, VA 22041-3803.

Table of Contents A. Program Description

A1. Authority

A2. Background, Purpose and Program Requirements

B. Federal Award Information

B1. Total Funding

B2. Expected Award Amount

B3. Expected Award Funding and Anticipated Dates

B4. Number of Awards

B5. Type of Award

C. Eligibility Information

C1. Eligible Applicants

C2. Cost Sharing or Matching

C3. Other

D. Application and Submission Information

D1. Address to Request Application Package

D2. Content and Form of Application Submission

D3. Unique Entity Identifier and System for Award Management (SAM)

D4. Submission Dates and Times

D5. Intergovernmental Review

D6. Funding Restrictions

D7. Other Submission Requirements

E. Application Review Information

E1. Criteria

E2. Review and Selection Process

E3. CFR – Regulatory Information

E4. Anticipated Announcement and Federal Award Dates

F. Federal Award Administration Information

F1. Federal Award Notices

F2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements

F3. Reporting

G. Federal Awarding Agency Contact(s)

G1. Program Technical Contact

G2. Program Administration

G3. Application System Technical Support

H. Other Information

A. Program Description

A1. Authority Federal Water Pollution Control Act—Great Lakes (33 U.S.C. §1268)

15.662

A2. Background, Purpose and Program Requirements Using appropriations to the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI), the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) anticipates providing grants to support development and/or implementation of Great Lakes Tribal Aquatic Invasive Species Management Plans (Tribal AIS Plans). Therefore, a Tribal AIS Plan must be in place that supports the proposed work, or development of such a plan must be a part of the proposed work. All tribal grants will be awarded based on a competitive process for which only Great Lakes tribes are eligible.

B. Federal Award Information B1. Total Funding Estimated Total Funding $ 300,000

B2. Expected Award Amount Maximum Award $ 100,000 Minimum Award $ 20,000

B3. Expected Award Funding and Anticipated Dates Expected Award Funding Expected Award Date September 30, 2021 Allocation of funding will require, within 1 year of the grant agreement becoming fully executed, completion of either one rapid response action or one rapid response training session.

Grant awards of 1-2 years (up to 4 years with strong justification) will be used by tribes for activities in their Tribal AIS Plans that contribute to the protection and restoration of the Great

Lakes and Great Lakes Basin. These awards are being made to provide “support for new work and for enhancements which do not replace existing Great Lakes base activities” (i.e., funds “supplement rather than supplant” existing tribal agency AIS programs/activities in the Great Lakes basin). We anticipate making most awards by September 30th of this year and expect project activities to begin within 60 days of making the award.

Proposed work must either be within the Great Lakes Basin or near enough to the basin that it contributes substantially to the prevention and/or control of AIS in the Great Lakes basin.

Activities such as outreach, boat ramp inspections, and/or law enforcement are often done outside the basin but make substantial contributions when work is done in areas where people are likely to transit (and thereby potentially transfer AIS) into the Great Lakes basin. Early detection, rapid response, and/or control efforts outside the basin must address:

• Species with a substantial potential for interbasin transfer (e.g., hydrilla in a waterbody near the Great Lakes basin that receives heavy boat use).

• Species of significant concern to the Great Lakes community within a Great Lakes state.

• Activities where the primary motivation is the prevent transfer of AIS into the Great Lakes basin.

In the end, we are pursuing and funding whatever actions have the greatest benefit to the Great Lakes Basin.

ASIAN CARP WORK IS ONLY ELIGIBLE FOR CONSIDERATION IF IT HAS BEEN

INITIALLY SUBMITTED AND VETTED THROUGH THE ANNUAL DEVELOPMENT

AND APPROVAL PROCESS FOR THE ASIAN CARP REGIONAL COORDINATING

COMMITTEE'S (ACRCC) ASIAN CARP ACTION PLAN. Asian carp work funded and implemented through the Action Plan is coordinated through the ACRCC. The ACRCC develops an annual work plan that is largely supported through a separate source of GLRI funding and which undergoes a separate review process that includes Office of Management and Budget (OMB) review and approval.

B4. Number of Awards Expected Number of Awards

B5. Type of Award Funding Instrument Type G - Grant

C. Eligibility Information

C1. Eligible Applicants Eligible Applicants

99 – Unrestricted (i.e. open to any type of entity above), subject to any clarification in the text field entitled "Additional Information on Eligibility" Additional Information on Eligibility We are seeking applications from tribal natural resource agencies in the Great Lakes Basin.

However, a tribal agency may designate an entity (of any type) to apply for the award on their behalf.

C2. Cost Sharing or Matching Cost Sharing / Matching Requirement No Percentage of Cost Sharing / Matching Requirement Cost sharing or matching funds are not required to be eligible for this grant opportunity.

However, cost sharing is considered in one of the grant review criteria listed under the Application Review Information section later in this document. With respect to that criterion, all types of cost share are eligible (e.g., in-kind contributions).

C3. Other Only one application per eligible entity (or their designee) is allowed.

Foreign Entities or Projects:

This program does not provide funding to foreign entities or for projects conducted outside the United States.

Excluded Parties: FWS conducts a review of the SAM.gov Exclusions database for all applicant entities and their key project personnel prior to award. The Bureau cannot award funds to entities or their key project personnel identified in the SAM.gov Exclusions database as ineligible, prohibited/restricted or otherwise excluded from receiving Federal contracts, certain subcontracts, and certain Federal assistance and benefits, as their ineligibility condition applies to this Federal program.

D. Application and Submission Information

D1. Address to Request Application Package All required application materials are contained within this funding opportunity. Supplemental application materials that may be helpful in completing environmental compliance can be requested from the point of contact listed at the end of this notice of funding opportunity.

Program Website Link

D2. Content and Form of Application Submission SF-424, Application for Federal Assistance Applicants must submit the appropriate Standard Form (SF)-424, Application for Federal Assistance. Individuals applying as a private citizen (i.e., unrelated to any business or nonprofit organization you may own or operate in your name), must complete the SF-424, Application for Federal Assistance-Individual form. All other applicants must complete the standard SF-424, Application for Federal Assistance. The required application forms are available with this announcement on Grants.gov. The SF-424, Application for Federal Assistance must be complete, and signed and dated. Please note: Enter only the amount requested from this Federal program in the “Federal” funding box on the SF-424 Application form. Include any other Federal sources of funding in the “Other” box and provide details on those Federal source(s) and funding amount(s) in the required Budget Narrative (see the “Budget Narrative” section below).

Pre-proposal: Pre-proposals are acceptable application submissions for the project ranking phase and must contain the information described in the Project Narrative and Budget Narrative below. Pre-proposals will be ranked to determine funding levels for each at which time applicants will be contacted via GrantSolutions and required to submit full proposals described below.

Full Proposals: Once funding levels are established, applicants must submit each of the application materials listed below. This full proposal may also include an individual agency’s tasks from any Interjurisdictional AIS Projects they are involved in (Interjurisdictional AIS Projects are requested under a separate NOFO). Any interjurisdictional tasks that are added must be clearly and distinctly separate from tasks under the individual tribal proposal so the task and cost can be easily tracked back to the interjurisdictional NOFO for accountability purposes and to help address any appearance of overlap/duplication.

Individuals applying for and receiving funds separate from a business or non-profit organization he/she may own or operate and any entity waived from the SAM.gov registration requirements by the funding bureau or office must submit the signed and dated SF-424B, Assurances for Non- Construction Programs form. The SF-424B, Assurances for Non-Construction Programs are available at https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms/sf-424-family.html

Any applicant requesting support for a construction projects must submit as signed and dated SF- 424D, Assurances for Construction Programs form. All required application forms are available with this announcement on Grants.gov.

Project Narrative Applications are rated using the criteria in the Application Review Information section later in this document. Be sure Project Narrative or other application materials include information that allows for an accurate assessment using those criteria (you may include a self-rating as part of Project Narrative but be sure that anything referenced therein is described elsewhere in your Project or Budget narratives). Project Narratives may be NO MORE THAN 25 pages and based on past submissions are often far less. They include:

Project title;

Project justification;

Goals and objectives;

Activities, including estimated cost for each major project activity;

Methods;

Timetable that breaks out each work activity on a quarterly (or monthly) basis so that it is clear when activities/sub-activities will be completed throughout the life of the grant. This timetable breakdown will also aid in identifying any potential overlap with existing grants of a similar nature;

Information to support environmental compliance review requirements. This includes sufficient project detail to assess potential effects on species listed under the Endangered Species Act, potential environmental effects under NEPA, and to determine project compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act. Additional documentation to complete these requirements is very helpful and varies some across USFWS regions, so reach out to the grant contact who will receive your final application package to determine the most useful documentation to provide [these additional documents do not count toward the 25 page limit for Project Narrative].

Required project monitoring and evaluation plan, or other means to assess project success;

Qualifications of key agencies and/or project personnel; and Details on the project location.

Applicants must submit the appropriate SF-424 Budget Information form and Budget Narrative.

For non-construction programs or projects, applicants must complete and submit the SF-424A, “Budget Information for Non-Construction Programs” form. All of the required application forms are available with this announcement on Grants.gov. Federal award recipients and subrecipients are subject to Federal award cost principles in 2 CFR 200. Applicants must show funds requested from this Federal program separately from any other Federal sources of funding.

In the “Budget Summary” section of the appropriate SF-424 budget form, use the first row for funding requested from this Federal program. Use subsequent row(s) for funding requested from this Federal program. Use subsequent row(s) for other Federal funding. Enter each Federal program’s CFDA number(s) in the corresponding fields on the form. The CFDA number(s) for this program appears on the first page of this announcement.

Applicants must submit the appropriate SF-424 Budget Information form and Budget Narrative.

For construction programs or projects, applicants must complete and submit the SF-424C, “Budget Information for Construction Programs”. All of the required application forms are available with this announcement on Grants.gov. Federal award recipients and subrecipients are subject to Federal award cost principles in 2 CFR 200. Applicants must show funds requested from this Federal program separately from any other Federal sources of funding. In the “Budget Summary” section of the appropriate SF-424 budget form, use the first row for funding requested from this Federal program. Use subsequent row(s) for funding requested from this Federal program. Use subsequent row(s) for other Federal funding. Enter each Federal program’s CFDA number(s) in the corresponding fields on the form. The CFDA number(s) for this program appears on the first page of this announcement.

Applicants seeking approval to acquire real property under an award must complete and submit the SF-429, “Real Property Status Report (Cover Page)” and the SF-429-B, “Real Property Status Report Attachment B (Request to Acquire, Improve, or Furnish)”. These forms are required if the real property is acquired with Federal funds, with recipient cost share or matching funds, or as an in-kind contribution under the award. These forms may be found on https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms/post-award-reporting-forms.html

Budget Narrative Describe and justify requested budget items and costs. Detail how the SF-424 Budget Information, Object Class Category totals were determined. For personnel salary costs, include the baseline salary figures and the estimates of time. Describe any item of cost that requires prior approval under the Federal cost principles. See 2 CFR 200.407 “Prior written approval (prior approval)” for more information. If equipment purchased previously with Federal funds is available for the project, provide a list of that equipment and identify the Federal funding source. Identify any cash or in-kind contributions that a partner or other entity will contribute to the project and describe how the contributions directly and substantively benefit completion of the project. For in-kind contributions, include the source, the amount, and the valuation methodology used to determine the total value. See 2 CFR 200.306 “Cost sharing or matching” for more information.

Conflict of Interest Disclosure Per the Financial Assistance Interior Regulation (FAIR), 2 CFR §1402.112, applicants must state in their application if any actual or potential conflict of interest exists at the time of submission.

(a) Applicability.

(1) This section intends to ensure that non-Federal entities and their employees take appropriate steps to avoid conflicts of interest in their responsibilities under or with respect to Federal financial assistance agreements.

(2) In the procurement of supplies, equipment, construction, and services by recipients and by sub recipients, the conflict of interest provisions in 2 CFR 200.318 apply.

(b) Notification.

(1) Non-Federal entities, including applicants for financial assistance awards, must disclose in writing any conflict of interest to the DOI awarding agency or pass-through entity in accordance with 2 CFR 200.112.

(2) Recipients must establish internal controls that include, at a minimum, procedures to identify, disclose, and mitigate or eliminate identified conflicts of interest. The recipient is responsible for notifying the Financial Assistance Officer in writing of any conflicts of interest that may arise during the life of the award, including those that have been reported by sub recipients.

(c) Restrictions on lobbying. Non-Federal entities are strictly prohibited from using funds under a grant or cooperative agreement for lobbying activities and must provide the required certifications and disclosures pursuant to 43 CFR part 18 and 31 U.S.C. 1352.

(d) Review procedures. The Financial Assistance Officer will examine each conflict of interest disclosure on the basis of its particular facts and the nature of the proposed grant or cooperative agreement, and will determine whether a significant potential conflict exists and, if it does, develop an appropriate means for resolving it.

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(e) Enforcement. Failure to resolve conflicts of interest in a manner that satisfies the government may be cause for termination of the award. Failure to make required disclosures may result in any of the remedies described in 2 CFR 200.338, Remedies for noncompliance, including suspension or debarment (see also 2 CFR part 180).

Single Audit Reporting Statement All U.S. states, local governments, federally recognized Indian tribal governments, and non-profit organizations expending $750,000 USD or more in Federal award funds in the applicant’s fiscal year must submit a Single Audit report for that year through the Federal Audit Clearinghouse’s Internet Data Entry System. U.S. state, local government, federally recognized Indian tribal government, and non-profit applicants must state if your organization was or was not required to submit a Single Audit report for the most recently closed fiscal year. If your organization was required to submit a Single Audit report for the most recently closed fiscal year, provide the EIN associated with that report and state if it is available through the Federal Audit Clearinghouse website.

Certification Regarding Lobbying Applicants requesting more than $100,000 in Federal funding must certify to the statements in 43 CFR Part 18, Appendix A-Certification Regarding Lobbying. If this application requests more than $100,000 in Federal funds, the Authorized Official’s signature on the appropriate SF-424, Application for Federal Assistance form also represents the entity’s certification of the statements in 43 CFR Part 18, Appendix A.

Applicants and recipients must not use any federally appropriated funds (annually appropriated or continuing appropriations) or matching funds under a Federal award to pay any person for lobbying in connection with the award. Lobbying is influencing or attempting to influence an officer or employee of any U.S. agency, a Member of the U.S. Congress, an officer or employee of the U.S. Congress, or an employee of a Member of the U.S. Congress connection with the award. Applicants and recipients must complete and submit the SF-LLL, “Disclosure of Lobbying Activities” form if the Federal share of the proposal or award is more than $100,000 and the applicant or recipient has made or has agreed to make any payment using non-appropriated funds for lobbying in connection with the application or award. The SF-LLL form is available with this Funding Opportunity on Grants.gov. See 43 CFR, Subpart 18.100 for more information on when additional submission of this form is required.

Overlap or Duplication of Effort Statement

Applicants must provide a statement indicating if there is any overlap between this Federal application and any other Federal application, or funded project, in regards to activities, costs, or time commitment of key personnel. If no such overlap or duplication exists, state, “There are no overlaps or duplication between this application and any of our other Federal applications or funded projects, including in regards to activities, costs, or time commitment of key personnel”.

If any such overlap exists, provide a complete description of overlaps or duplications between this proposal and any other federally funded project or application in regards to activities, costs, and time commitment of key personnel, as applicable. Provide a copy of any overlapping or duplicative proposal submitted to any other potential funding entity and identify when that https://harvester.census.gov/facides/Account/Login.aspx https://harvester.census.gov/facides/Account/Login.aspx https://harvester.census.gov/facdissem/Main.aspx https://harvester.census.gov/facdissem/Main.aspx http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=683823273fc0da6a1060883eda593fb8&mc=true&node=pt43.1.18&rgn=div5 http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=683823273fc0da6a1060883eda593fb8&mc=true&node=pt43.1.18&rgn=div5 https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms/post-award-reporting-forms.html proposal was submitted, to whom (entity name and program), and when you anticipate being notified of their funding decision. When overlap exists, your statement must end with “We understand that if at any time we receive funding from another source that is duplicative of the funding we are requesting from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in this application, we will immediately notify the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service point of contact identified in this Funding Opportunity in writing.”

D3. Unique Entity Identifier and System for Award Management (SAM) Identifier and System for Award Management (SAM.gov) Registration: This requirement does not apply to individuals applying for funds as individual (i.e., unrelated to any business or nonprofit organization you may own or operate) or any entity with an exception approved by the funding bureau or office in accordance with bureau or office policy. All other applicants are required to obtain a Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number from Dun & Bradstreet and then register in SAM.gov prior to submitting a Federal award application. Federal award recipients must continue to maintain an active SAM.gov registration with current information through the life of their Federal award(s). See the “Submission Requirements” section of this document below for more information on SAM.gov registration. We may not make a Federal award to an applicant that has not completed the SAM.gov registration. If an applicant selected for funding has not completed their SAM.gov registration by the time the program is ready to make an award, the program may determine that the applicant is not qualified to receive an award. The program can use that determination as a basis for making an award to another applicant. There is no cost to register with Dun & Bradstreet or SAM.gov. There are third-party vendors who will charge a fee in exchange for registering entities with Dun & Bradstreet and SAM.gov; please be aware you can register and request help for free.

Obtain a DUNS Number

Request a DUNS Number through the Dun & Bradstreet website. For technical difficulties, send an email to the D&B SAM Help Desk. Please ensure that you are able to receive emails from SAMHelp@dnb.com. The Grants.gov “Obtain a DUNS Number” webpage also provides detailed instructions. Once assigned a DUNS number, your organization must maintain up-to-date information with Dun & Bradstreet. Applicants must enter their DUNS number in the “Organizational DUNS” field on the SF-424, Application for Federal Assistance form.

Register with the System for Award Management (SAM)

Register on the SAM.gov website. “Help” tab on the website contains User Guides and other information to assist you with registration. The Grants.gov Register with SAM page also provides detailed instructions. You can also contact the supporting Federal Service Desk for help registering in SAM. Once registered in SAM, entities must renew and revalidate their SAM registration at least once every 12 months from the date previously registered. Entities are strongly encouraged to revalidate their registration as often as needed to ensure their information is up to date and reflects changes that may have been to the entity’s DUNS or IRS information.

D4. Submission Dates and Times Due Date for Applications mailto:SAMHelp@dnb.com

09/30/2021 Application Due Date Explanation Application Due Date Explanation

All pre-proposals must be received no later than 11:59 pm Central Standard Time 60 days after this NOFO is posted to grants.gov.

Pre-proposals will be ranked to determine funding levels for each at which time applicants will be notified via email.

Full proposals are due within 60 days of email notification of funding level (by 11:59 pm Central Standard Time). If grant request will be combined with Interjurisdicational AIS Grant (solicited under separate NOFO), then full proposal will be due 60 days after notice of both Interjurisdictional AIS Grant opportunity funding level and this NOFO funding level.

D5. Intergovernmental Review Prior to application submission, U.S. state and local government applicants should visit the OMB Office of Federal Financial Management website and view the “State Point of Contact (SPOC) List” to determine whether their application is subject to the state intergovernmental review process under Executive Order (E.O.) 12372 “Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs.”

States not on the list do not participate in the intergovernmental review process, and therefore do not have a SPOC. If you are located within a State that does not have a SPOC, you may send application materials directly to a Federal awarding agency. If your state is on the list, contact the designated entity for more information on the state’s prior review requirements for Federal assistance applications.

D6. Funding Restrictions Awards will allow reimbursement of appropriate pre-award costs as requested in application.

Indirect Costs: Individuals Individuals applying for and receiving funds separate from a business or non-profit organization he/she may operate are not eligible to charge indirect costs to their award. If you are an individual applying for funding, you must not include any indirect costs in your proposed budget.

Individuals are not required to submit any of the following statements regarding indirect costs.

Indirect Costs: Organizations The Federal awarding agency that provides the largest amount of direct funding to your organization is your cognizant agency for indirect costs, unless otherwise assigned by the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB). If the Department of the Interior is your organization’s cognizant agency, the Interior Business Center will negotiate your indirect cost rate. Contact the Interior Business Center by phone 916-930-3803 or using the IBC Email Submission Form. See the IBC Website for more information.

Organizations must have an active Federal award before they can submit an indirect cost rate proposal to their cognizant agency. Failure to establish an approved rate during the award period renders all costs otherwise allocable as indirect costs unallowable under the award. Recipients https://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/management/office-federal-financial-management/ https://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/management/office-federal-financial-management/ https://www.doi.gov/ibc/contactus/icsfeedback https://www.doi.gov/ibc/contactus/icsfeedback https://www.doi.gov/ibc/services/finance/indirect-cost-services must have prior written approval from the Service to use amounts budgeted for direct costs to satisfy cost-share or match requirements or to cover unallowable indirect costs. Recipients shall not shift unallowable indirect costs to another Federal award unless specifically authorized to do so by legislation.

Required Indirect Cost Statement to be submitted with Application All organizations must include the applicable statement from the following list in their application, and attach to their application any documentation identified in the applicable statement:

We are:

A U.S. state or local government entity receiving more than $35 million in direct Federal funding each year with an indirect cost rate of [insert rate]. We submit our indirect cost rate proposals to our cognizant agency. Attached is a copy of our most recently approved rate agreement/certification.

A U.S. state or local government entity receiving less than $35 million in direct Federal funding with an indirect cost rate of [insert rate]. We have prepared and will retain for audit an indirect cost rate proposal and related documentation.

A [insert your organization type; U.S. states and local governments, do not use this statement] that has previously negotiated or currently has an approved indirect cost rate with our cognizant agency. Our indirect cost rate is [insert rate]. [Insert either: “Attached is a copy of our most recently approved but expired rate agreement. In the event an award is made, we will submit an indirect cost rate proposal to our cognizant agency within 90 calendar days after the award is made.” or “Attached is a copy of our current negotiated indirect cost rate agreement.”]

A [insert your organization type] that has never submitted an indirect cost rate proposal to our cognizant agency. Our indirect cost rate is [insert rate]. If we receive an award, we will submit an indirect cost rate proposal to our cognizant agency within 90 calendar days after the award date.

A [insert your organization type] that has never submitted an indirect cost rate proposal to our cognizant agency and has an indirect cost rate that is lower than 10%. Our indirect cost rate is [insert rate; must be lower than 10%]. However, if we receive an award we will not be able to meet the requirement to submit an indirect cost rate proposal to our cognizant agency within 90 calendar days after award. We request as a condition of award to charge a flat indirect cost rate of [insert rate; must be lower than 10%] against [insert a clear description of the direct cost base against which your rate is charged (e.g., salaries; salaries and fringe benefits; or modified total direct costs). However, please note that your organization cannot charge indirect costs in excess of the indirect costs that would be recovered if applied against modified total direct costs as defined in §2 CFR 200.68]. We understand that we must notify the Service in writing if we establish an approved rate with our cognizant agency at any point during the award period.

A [insert your organization type] that has never submitted an indirect cost rate proposal to our cognizant agency and has an indirect cost rate that is 10% or higher. Our indirect cost rate is [insert your organization’s indirect rate; must be 10% or higher]. However, if we receive an award we will not be able to meet the requirement to submit an indirect cost rate proposal to our cognizant agency within 90 calendar days after award. We request as https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=0bb1f5386f36f965f85dc05b2ad8a804&mc=true&node=pt2.1.200&rgn=div5#se2.1.200_168 https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=0bb1f5386f36f965f85dc05b2ad8a804&mc=true&node=pt2.1.200&rgn=div5#se2.1.200_168 a condition of award to charge a flat de minimis indirect cost rate of 10% to be charged against modified total direct project costs as defined in 2 CFR §200.68. We understand that we must notify the Service in writing if we establish a negotiated rate with our cognizant agency at any point during the award period. We understand that additional Federal funds may not be available to support an unexpected increase in indirect costs during the project period and that such changes are subject to review, negotiation, and prior approval by the Service.

A [insert your organization type] that is submitting this proposal for consideration under the [insert either “Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit Program” or “Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit Network”], which has a Department of the Interior-approved indirect cost rate cap of [insert program rate]. If we have an approved indirect cost rate with our cognizant agency, we understand that we must apply this reduced rate against the same direct cost base as identified in our approved indirect cost rate agreement per 2 CFR §1402.414. If we do not have an approved indirect cost rate with our cognizant agency, we understand that we must charge indirect costs against the modified total direct cost base defined in 2 CFR §200.68 “Modified Total Direct Cost (MTDC)”. We understand that we must request prior approval from the Service to use the 2 CFR 200 MTDC base instead of the base identified in our approved indirect cost rate agreement. We understand that Service approval of such a request will be based on: 1) a determination that our approved base is only a subset of the MTDC (such as salaries and wages); and 2) that use of the MTDC base will still result in a reduction of the total indirect costs to be charged to the award. In accordance with 2 CFR §200.405, we understand that indirect costs not recovered due to a voluntary reduction to our federally negotiated rate are not allowable for recovery via any other means.

A [insert your organization type] that will charge all costs directly.

D7. Other Submission Requirements Applications must be submitted electronically using the GrantSolutions system.

To submit an application through GrantSolutions.gov

1. Register with GrantSolutions.gov and complete all steps of the registration process before applying through GrantSolutions.gov. Please follow this link to obtain the GrantSolutions self-registration instructions.

2. Login

Navigate to GrantSolutions by going to www.grantsolutions.gov Select the LOGIN button

Log in with your applicant/recipient account and search this announcement through the "funding opportunity" tab on the website.

3. Utilize GrantSolutions help and user-guides, as needed.

GrantSolutions website - recipient training video series Service recipient GrantSolutions user accounts and training website.

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4. Help Desk Information If you need additional help, the GrantSolutions help desk is available for assistance on all GrantSolutions products and services. Hours of Operation: Monday through Friday 7 a.m. – 8 p.m. ET (closed on Federal holidays).

Phone: 1.866.577.0771 or 202.401.5282 Email: help@grantsolutions.gov

5. Proof of Timely Submission GrantSolutions automatically generates an electronic date and time stamp in the system upon application receipt.

E. Application Review Information

E1. Criteria Maximum Points: 51

a. To what degree does the project demonstrate interagency/inter-organizational coordination and collaboration?

i. Low: project identifies little if any interagency/inter-organizational coordination and collaboration, beyond transferring funds to a sub-recipient.

ii. Medium: project demonstrates meaningful interagency/inter-organizational coordination and collaboration with multiple small or moderate size entities/organizations, beyond transferring funds to a sub-recipient.

iii. High: project has major component(s) that substantially involve other state(s) or large entities/organizations, beyond transferring funds to a sub-recipient.

b. Applicant provided the title of their Tribal AIS Management Plan as well as a link to the plan (or included a copy of the plan) and that plan is robust and detailed enough to support the work proposed. [Note: plan submission not required if previously provided to USFWS.]

i. No plan: applicant proposal is rejected unless it includes the development of a suitable AIS management (or unless plan previously provided to USFWS).

ii. Low: no evidence of plan was provided in the application, but plan is known to exist;

plan information was provided but it is of low quality.

iii. Medium: plan information was provided and it is of moderate quality.

iv. High: plan information was provided and it is of high quality.

c. On average across all elements of the project, to what degree is the project supported by the public and other stakeholders?

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i. Low: public/stakeholders largely unaware or largely unsupportive.

ii. Medium: public/stakeholders have demonstrated a moderate degree of support (in intensity and/or scope).

iii. High: public/stakeholders have demonstrated a large degree of support (in intensity and/or scope).

d. What is the potential for the proposed activity to substantially (in scope or scale) address vectors for AIS infiltration (i.e., prevention) into the Great Lakes?

i. NA

ii. Low: small level of progress or minor vector addressed.

iii. Medium: moderate-high level of progress on a vector of moderate importance.

iv. High: moderate-high level of progress on a vector of major importance.

e. What is the potential for the proposed activity to substantially (in scope or scale) implement/improve early detection efforts in key areas in the Great Lakes (key areas in Great Lakes proper in Appendix A; key areas in Great Lakes watershed based on a scientifically defensible state/tribal prioritization scheme as described in your proposal)?

i. NA

ii. Low: small level of progress.

iii. Medium: moderate-high level of progress on a small to medium-sized scope or scale.

iv. High: moderate-high level of progress on a large scope or scale.

f. What is the potential for the proposed activity to substantially (in scope or scale) implement/improve rapid response efforts (i.e., efforts within first 2 years of discovery) in the Great Lakes?

i. NA

ii. Low: small level of progress.

iii. Medium: moderate-high level of progress on a small to medium scope or scale.

iv. High: moderate-high level of progress on a large scope or scale.

g. What is the potential for the proposed activity to substantially (in scope or scale) implement/improve containment efforts (e.g., blocking movement with barrier or commercial harvest; DOES NOT INCLUDE other activities that are more appropriately captured under prevention, rapid response, or control criteria) in the Great Lakes?

i. NA

ii. Low: small level of progress.

iii. Medium: moderate-high level of progress on a small to medium-sized scope or scale.

iv. High: moderate-high level of progress on a large scope or scale.

h. What is the potential for the proposed activity to substantially (in scope or scale) reduce the abundance of established AIS (i.e., not rapid response, population known for more than 2 years) in the Great Lakes?

i. NA

ii. Low: small level of progress.

iii. Medium: moderate-high level of progress on a small to medium-sized scope or scale.

iv. High: moderate-high level of progress on a large scope or scale.

i. To what degree does the proposal promote long-term societal, economic, and environmental sustainability goals?

i. Low: project benefits are likely to be short lived and are not necessary steps that will lead to long-term implementation of the project outside of GLRI funding.

ii. Medium: project benefits are likely to last for 5-10 years or may lead to long-term implementation of the project outside of GLRI funding.

iii. High: project benefits are likely to persist for decades or are necessary steps that will lead to long-term implementation of the project outside of GLRI funding.

j. To what degree does the proposal incorporate projected climate change effects in the Great Lakes to ensure investments made in the proposal have adequate climate resiliency?

i. Low: applicant makes no mention of climate change considerations during project development.

ii. Medium: applicant undertook some form of qualitative climate change assessment that provides some form of assurance that project results will be pertinent under the most likely future climate change scenario.

iii. High: applicant undertook a quantitative assessment to provide the greatest assurance possible that project results will be pertinent under the most likely future climate change scenario.

k. To what degree is the plan for carrying out the proposed activities well-reasoned, well-organized, based on a sound rationale, and based on sound science?

i. Low: steps in the proposed activities are disjointed or don’t appear entirely likely to achieve the desired results.

ii. Medium: generally sound approach but with some reservation.

iii. High: steps in the proposed activities are very well reasoned, sequenced well, and are based on solid principles of science.

l. To what degree does the project incorporate a mechanism to assess success?

i. Low: none identified other than possibly written summary of actions.

ii. Medium: moderate level of assessment with perhaps some elements done reasonably well and others with little or no assessment.

iii. High: thorough, well-designed assessment procedures identified.

m. How well qualified is the individual, team, or organization to conduct the proposed activities?

i. Low: difficult to ascertain or little indication of relevant qualifications.

ii. Medium: generally appears to have basic qualifications.

iii. High: qualifications of key staff included in proposal and generally indicates skilled individuals with substantial relevant expertise either thru education, experience, or both.

n. How much “new” non-federal support (funding or in-kind) will be committed to the project? “New” non-federal support excludes existing watercraft inspections, existing early detection and rapid response, or other activities that are already routinely completed.

i. Low: <20% of total project cost.

ii. Medium: 21-40% of total project cost.

iii. High: >40% of total project cost.

o. How good of a value is the project?

i. Low: cost:benefit ratio is worse than average compared to other projects doing similar work.

ii. Medium: cost:benefit ratio is average compared to other projects doing similar work.

iii. High: cost:benefit ratio is better than average compared to other projects doing similar work.

p. What is the applicant’s rate of expenditure for similar FY 2018 grant awards? [Review Team Lead will provide expenditure rate and rating based on FBMS review around time when NOFO is posted.]

i. NA

ii. Low: <30%.

iii. Medium: 30-50%.

iv. High: >50%.

q. How quickly will major elements of the project be substantially underway (does not include hiring staff, purchasing equipment, writing contracts/agreements)?

i. Low: after first half of next calendar year.

ii. Medium: within first half of next calendar year.

iii. High: in current calendar year.

Appendix A

State Location Fish Plant Invert IL Chicago/Chicago River Mouth 1 1 4 IL Chicago-Calumet Port 9

IL Evanston/North Shore Channel Mouth 11 15 23

IN Buffington and Indiana Harbor Ports 24

IN Calumet River Mouth/Lake Michigan 8 11 16

IN East Chicago/Indiana Harbor Canal 10 14 22

IN Portage/Portage-Burns Waterway 4 6 7

MI Alpena/Thunder Bay River Mouth 13

MI Benton Harbor/St. Joseph River Mouth 9 9

MI Detroit River/Rouge River Mouth 18

MI Detroit/Detroit River 6 MI Detroit/Detroit River 20

MI Grand Haven/Grand River Mouth 14 19

MI Grosse Pointe Shores/Lake St.

Claire 21 10 20

MI Lake St. Clair/Clinton River Mouth 23 12

MI Lakeside/Lake St. Clair 18 16 MI Marquette/Dead River Mouth 25 5 MI Rogers City/Calcite 17

MI Saginaw Bay/Saginaw River Mouth 6 5 14

MN Duluth/St. Louis River Mouth 15 1 MN Two Harbors 18 NY Buffalo/Niagara River 5 8 11 NY Oswego/Oswego River Mouth 3 4 10

NY Rochester/Genesee River Mouth 12 17 25

OH Ashtabula/Ashtabula River Mouth 19

OH Cleveland/Cuyahoga River Mouth 7 13 3

OH Fairport Harbor/Grand River Mouth 22 21

OH Lorain/Black River Mouth 24 25 OH Sandusky/Sandusky Bay 17 7 8 OH Toledo/Maumee River Mouth 2 2 2 OH Toussaint River Mouth 24

OH West Harbor/Marblehead/Lake Erie 16 3 15

PA Erie/Presque Isle Bay 23 WI Green Bay/Fox River Mouth 13 20 21

WI Milwaukee/Kinnickinnic River Mouth 9 22 12

E2. Review and Selection Process Prior to award, the program will review any applicant statement regarding potential overlap or duplication between the project to be funded and any other funded or proposed project in terms of activities, funding, or time commitment of key personnel. Depending on the circumstances, the program may request modification to the application, other pending applications, or an active award, as needed to eliminate any duplication of effort, or the Bureau may choose not to fund the selected project.

The program may not make a Federal award to an applicant that has not completed the SAM.gov registration. If an applicant selected for funding has not completed their SAM.gov registration by the time the Bureau is ready to make an award, the program may determine that the applicant is not qualified to receive an award. The program can use that determination as a basis for making an award to another applicant.

Prior to award, the program will evaluate the risk posed by applicants as required in 2 CFR

200.205. Programs document applicant risk evaluations using the Bureau’s “Financial Assistance Recipient Risk Assessment” form. Prior to approving awards for Federal funding in excess of the simplified acquisition threshold (currently $250,000), the Bureau is required to review and consider any information about or from the applicant found in the Federal Awardee Performance and Integrity Information System. The Bureau will consider this information when completing the risk review. The Bureau uses the results of the risk evaluation to establish monitoring plans, recipient reporting frequency requirements, and to determine if one or more of the specific award conditions in 2 CFR 200.207 should be applied to the award.

Given projects have the potential to be inter-related, we will look at the entire body of projects after the merit review to determine if there is substantial duplication/overlap that could be avoided or possible synergy among projects to be gained that would cause us to modify our rankings and/or suggest collaboration among applicants.

If requests for funds are less than the available funding, then all projects will be funded as requested after each proposal is reviewed by the review team lead to identify/address any technical concerns. In this case, the review team lead will keep the merit review criteria in mind while reviewing, but proposals will not be formally rated. If requests exceed the available funding, then awards will be made using the remaining process below.

Funding allocations will be made based on how well a project rates following the review process.

If during the merit review, duplicate or otherwise unnecessary work is identified, proposals will be scaled back accordingly to identify a new “requested level.” Natural breaks in ratings will be used to identify the highest ranking projects, which will be funded at the requested level or estimated award ceiling, whichever is lower. The next tier of projects will be funded at 80% of the requested level or estimated award ceiling, whichever is lower. The final tier of remaining projects (if any fall out into a third tier based on natural breaks) will be funded at 60% of requested level or estimated award ceiling, whichever is lower. The tiered scenario is designed to provide funding for all proposals. After funding is initially applied at the above percentages, any surplus or overage will be proportionally added to or subtracted from proposals based on the proposed tiered funding amounts. This often results in changes to the amount of the award from what is requested, therefore we will accept pre-proposals as described earlier in the NOFO by the submission deadline so that only the final submission (after ranking is completed and funding amounts are determined) will require an SF-424 and other application materials in addition to the project and budget narratives that are required for the pre-proposal.

E3. CFR – Regulatory Information See the Service’s General Award Terms and Conditions for the general administrative and national policy requirements applicable to Service awards. The Service will communicate any other program- or project-specific special terms and conditions to recipients in their notices of award.

E4. Anticipated Announcement and Federal Award Dates We anticipate making all awards under this opportunity by the end of the Federal Fiscal Year.

F. Federal Award Administration Information

F1. Federal Award Notices Following review, applicants may be requested to revise the project scope and/or budget before an award is made. Successful applicants will receive electronic notification in the form of a Notice of Award document transmitted thru GrantSolutions. Award recipients are not required to sign/return the Notice of Award document. Acceptance of an award is defined as starting work, drawing down funds, or accepting the award via electronic means.